County launches discount prescription card available to all residents

As debates on health care costs circle public forums across the nation, does a free discount prescription card, available to all Oakland County residents, seem unattainable?

How about a prescription card that may even make the county money?

It’s not unattainable, says Commissioner Jim Runestad.

It’s called the Coast2Coast Rx Card, and county residents can expect to see commercials detailing the new health costs savings program within about a week.

“It was unanimous by the county commissioners to make this change. ... We really feel there’s going to be many more benefits provided to the residents,” said Runestad at a press conference. “The discounts and penetration rate are going to be better than what we currently have.”

A public service announcement was rolled out Thursday along with the marketing plan for the product, which is backed by Florida-based Financial Marketing Concepts and the Oakland County Board of Commissioners. It stars actor Mario Lopez — of “Saved by the Bell” fame — who volunteered to be the face of the PSA.

In a week’s time, residents in each county district can see their local commissioner talking about the Coast2Coast card on television commercials, as well. That segment was completed Wednesday — 19 out of 21 commissioners taped their portions.

According to Marty Dettelbach, chief marketing officer for the card, it’s available to anyone who picks it up and uses it. That means residents in counties surrounding Oakland, as well, he said.

In Oakland County, all big pharmacy chains, along with 95 percent of independent pharmacies, accept it.

The Coast2Coast Rx card is marketed as a money-saver that can be used even by families that already pay for health insurance through work. It can provide a myriad of prescription savings options, said Dettelbach.

Information provided on the program’s website indicate that consumers in participating counties have saved as much as 75 percent on more than 60,000 brand name drugs, while filling their prescriptions at one of 59,000-plus participating pharmacies nationwide.

The cards are in the process of being distributed to local libraries and pharmacies “right now,” said Runestad Thursday.